OKLAHOMA CITY, OK: The Texas Wesleyan University men's basketball team (13-5, 2-5 SAC) erased a 27-point deficit at No. 25 Mid-America Christian University (13-6, 6-1 SAC) before MACU's Semar Farris beat the buzzer to take the game 83-81.
The win was a big one for the Evangels as it vaulted them into the lead in the Sooner Athletic Conference standings at 6-1.
The first half was all MACU. The Evangels were on their way to a rout after a 30-6 run left the score at 41-16. That 25-point margin held at halftime with the score reading 57-32.
The Rams struggled to find their shot in the frame, hitting at just 34.4%. MACU also dominated the glass 32-19 in the period.
MACU held its largest lead of the night 61-34 within the first minute of the second half. Then the Rams began to chip away. A jumper from
Demarcus Richardson capped a 10-2 run the got the margin inside of 20-points at 63-44. No one in the Gaulke Activity Center was worried. Later, a three from
Merv Lindsay, a steal from
Chris Gracela, and another bucket from Lindsay finished off a 14-3 run that knocked the deficit all the way down to nine at 70-61. Eyes began to widen.
The Rams continued to claw their way back, and finally a three-pointer from
Jerrell Ellis tied the game at 75-75 with 5:02 to play. On the next MACU possession,
Doug Compton came up with a steal and Ellis fed
Sam Akano for a three that gave the Rams their first lead since the score read 5-2.
The Evangels refused to go quietly on their own floor. Jarius Wilson nailed a three that put MACU on top 81-78 entering the game's final minute. With 34 seconds to play,
Sam Akano hit one-of-two at the free throw line. The Rams then fouled and Wilson missed the front end of a 1-and-1 to leave the door open. With eight seconds remaining
Merv Lindsay stepped to the line and drained two high-pressure free throws to knot the game at 81-81. Unfortunately those eight seconds proved to be enough for MACU to go the length of the floor and find Farris for the game-winner.
The Rams were left with just one second on the clock and Lindsay's desperation heave did not find its mark.
The Rams improved to 48.5% shooting in the second half while holding the Evangels to 32% overall and 18% (2-of-11) from long range. The Rams also led 23-19 on the boards. In the end, a tough 22-of-37 (59.5%) performance at the free throw line proved to be Texas Wesleyan's undoing.
"I'm really proud of our effort and resilience in the second half," said head coach
Brennen Shingleton, "we just didn't make enough plays at the end. We are learning though, and I know these guys are hungry to get this right."
Akano led the Rams with 22 points, while Lindsay finished with 21 points and eight rebounds. Ellis also posted 19 points in the loss.
Brock Hunter led four Evangels in double-figure scoring with 22 points. Farris posted 16 points, Jason Nwisienyi 14, and Reggie Davis 11.
The Rams will return to action on Saturday, when they host the University of Science & Arts in SAC play. That game is scheduled for a 5:00 p.m. start in the Sid Richardson Center.
Ramblings
- The Rams are 10-17 all-time in SAC play, 0-3 vs. Mid-America Christian, and 5-4 against Science & Arts.
- The Rams will be collecting donations to Coaches vs. Cancer as part of Suits & Sneakers week during Saturday's game in Fort Worth. With a donation of any size, fans will receive a sneaker cutout with which they can honor a friend or loved one who has battled cancer.
- Akano, Ellis and Lindsay accounted for 77% of Texas Wesleyan's points on Thursday and 62% of the team's points this season.
